Welcome to Burgh Brides

Your Pittsburgh Wedding Planning

Hi! I’m Victoria, the CEO and creator of Burgh Brides.

Just like the wedding industry, and the city this platform calls home, Burgh Brides and I are ever-evolving.

One day, I’m publishing my sixth-ever blog post featuring wedding ideas inspired by Pantone’s 2015 Color of the Year (it was Marsala, by the way). Then, eight and a half years later, I’m managing a team of people (meet those amazing women below!) who make my company run, and speaking to an online audience of ~50k+ about how cash bars are *never* okay. I said what I said.

What started as a passion project to showcase all of the gorgeous weddings happening in my backyard has matured into something greater than I ever imagined. The Burgh Brides family you see today is made up of a little something old, a lot of something new, nothing borrowed – ever! – and (Pittsburgh weather aside) a lot of clear blue skies. And cookies. Lots of cookies!

What is Burgh Brides?

It’s your safe haven within an industry that can give almost anyone the ick if they look long enough. It’s your resource that puts a hard stop to the mindless Pinterest scroll. It’s an open window, and the fresh air that clears out The Knot’s predatory smoke and mirrors, otherwise known as the Wedding Industrial Complex.

It bridges the space between couples and wedding professionals in the city that I am so proud to live in, the city I get to share with my husband and three (and a half!) year old son, Coen, who seems to have an infinite supply of energy. It gets right to the heartbeat of the Pittsburgh wedding community – and the talented creatives who make the magic every weekend! – so you can plan a day that is all yours.

What Our Readers Are Saying

“Burgh Brides has allowed me to ask questions, given me so many answers, and helped me with planning the wedding of my dreams.” – Leah

“It’s hard to plan a wedding in a city in which you don’t live. But Burgh Brides gives me suggestions since I can’t be there to scope it out myself!” – Nicole

“Burgh Brides has brought vendors into the spotlight that I wouldn’t have found on my own. It’s saved me so much time!” – Amanda

Even though Burgh Brides has flexed into many shapes and sizes throughout the years, the above has remained true since day one. And while running a business – the only one like it in the entire city! – isn’t for the faint of heart, I have given it all of mine to get to this moment.

Nearly a decade later, Burgh Brides returns the favor back to me all the time. Helping couples create their perfect day, connecting with wedding professionals, and putting Pittsburgh’s love stories front and center has given me the freedom to build a life beyond my wildest dreams.

Who is a Burgh Bride?

Speaking of ever evolving: A Burgh Bride is not just a pretty blonde girl in a white dress marrying a tall guy she met in college. A Burgh Bride is anyone getting married in Pittsburgh. They might not wear a dress at all. Or maybe there are TWO dresses!

Which Burgh Bride are you?

Kristen

“Here Comes the Bride” has been resounding in Kristen’s head for as long as she can remember. She’s been planning her wedding since she was a kid, and her mom has been planning it for even longer. Kristen embodies tradition, will most surely be changing her last name, and won’t risk a lifetime of bad luck with a first look session. She’s marrying her high school or college sweetheart in a Heinz Chapel ceremony (she is a Pitt alum, after all!), followed by portraits at “the columns” and on a yellow bridge, followed by a reception at Hotel Monaco. Hello Productions will be there to ensure every detail – especially the 40′ long cookie table – is perfectly placed while Leeann Marie Photography and Post Script Wedding Films will capture it all.

Jay

F*ck the wedding patriarchy. This Burgh Brides reader is unapologetically breaking all the wedding gender stereotypes. Jay prefers the title of “soonlywed” over “bride” and may or may not use traditional pronouns and honorifics. Hell, they may or may not be marrying a straight white male. While they don’t often see themselves represented in depictions of weddings, Jay still craves relatability. There is no way this wedding is taking place at a venue that doesn’t welcome same sex couples or that refers to it as a “bridal suite”. Inclusivity is incredibly important to them and they actively seek out vendors who vocally and openly celebrate ALL forms of love, hiring people like Kristy Lumsden Photography, Devoted to You Events, Bramble & Blossom, and ZZ Beauty.

Chelsea

Approximately .3 seconds after getting engaged, Chelsea was already overwhelmed by wedding planning. She has no idea where to begin, isn’t sure what she wants, and can’t seem to sift through the virtual noise that is The Knot and Google. She is seeking guidance, honesty, connection, and a confidante. Chelsea appreciates the way Burgh Brides breaks wedding planning down into digestible components, offers humor throughout an otherwise stressful journey, and calls out the bullshit societal pressure of having the “best day ever”. Vendors like Wildly Loved, Kaitlin Powell Photography, and Holly Hanna Floral keep Chelsea from going insane while also ensuring her celebration isn’t without thoughtful details.

Sam

Sam’s wedding might be small in size but it’s big at heart. She’s never dreamed of the huge ballroom reception with hundreds of people she barely knows. Or maybe this isn’t her first wedding but this is the first time she’s doing things her way. Or maybe she’d rather put her hard-earned money towards the down payment of a house instead of spending it on one day (which is also why she’ll wear an upcycled wedding dress from Bridal Maven). Either way, she’ll be surrounded by an intimate group of her closest friends and family at the Allegheny County Courthouse followed by a dinner party at the Union Hall at Bar Marco. Christina Montemurro Photography & Video will document this day that focuses on moments and memories over bells and whistles.

Hanah

Hanah marches (down the aisle) to the beat of her own drum. You won’t find a single cookie cutter detail at her MuseumLab reception. Instead, everything – from the invitations designed by Hanah’s graphic designer future spouse to the funky standing seating chart display Hanah spent several weekends DIY’ing in her garage (and has the hot glue gun burns to prove it) – will be infused with personality. There may not be a wedding party, a guest book, or even a cookie table (gasp!) but guests will be too busy having their minds blown by the creativity to even notice. This wedding isn’t trendy; it’s trendsetting. No one will capture its effortlessly cool style quite like Solich Photo + Film and Penderville Films.

Whether you use Burgh Brides to plan your entire wedding, meet your soulmate photographer through our stacked Vendor Guide, get some off the wall ideas for your first dance song, or just find joy in reading about authentic Pittsburgh weddings – and the people behind them – I’m so happy you’re here.

However yinz choose to get married in the ‘Burgh, we just require one thing: a bomb cookie table. The rest is yours to create.

Love,

Victoria

Meet the Team

Victoria, Owner & CEO

People Might Be Surprised to Know

For a brief period of time, I very seriously considered going to mortuary school and becoming a funeral home director.

Favorite Cookie to Find on the Pittsburgh Cookie Table

Peanut butter blossom

Dream Wedding Destination

Anywhere in Italy

Three Things I Can’t Live Without

Cheese (I went dairy free while nursing my son and I missed cheese so much I cried), Blistex Lip Medex (I won’t use any other lip balm), and a lash lift

My Stupid Human Trick

I can say the alphabet backwards.

Favorite Celebrity Wedding Dress

Paris Hilton’s Oscar de la Renta wedding dress is the dark horse not even I saw coming.

Cydney, Social Media Manager

People Might Be Surprised to Know

I worked as a news personality (reporter and anchor) for about three years. I also LOVE crime shows.

Favorite Cookie to Find on the Pittsburgh Cookie Table

Iced thumbprint cookies are my absolute guilty pleasure.

Dream Wedding Destination

Greece for sure!

Three Things I Can’t Live Without

Chipotle (Well, any Mexican food spot, really), my fiance, and my dog (son), Romeo

My Stupid Human Trick

I can read very well from a teleprompter.

Favorite Celebrity Wedding Dress

Toya Rushing’s wedding dress designed by Ese Azenabor was *chef’s kiss*! Literal perfection!

Olivia, Social Media Assistant

People Might Be Surprised to Know

I was in a band growing up. I play guitar, piano, and sing, and have had the opportunity to play at a lot of local Pittsburgh venues.

Favorite Cookie to Find on the Pittsburgh Cookie Table

I am quite the coconut macaroon connoisseur.

Dream Wedding Destination

Paris always!

Three Things I Can’t Live Without

Reality TV, champagne, and my dog, Luna

My Stupid Human Trick

I can juggle, am an air guitar champion, and, since we’re on the topic of weddings, I can make a mean wedding shower ribbon bouquet.

Favorite Celebrity Wedding Dress

I’ve gotta give this one to Mrs. Hailey Bieber.

Alyssa, Features Writer & Editorial Assistant

People Might Be Surprised to Know

In addition to my marketing and public relations degree, I’m also a licensed cosmetologist.

Favorite Cookie to Find on the Pittsburgh Cookie Table

A good peanut butter blossom or a classic chocolate chip

Dream Wedding Destination

A chateau in France – so dreamy and beautiful!

Three Things I Can’t Live Without

My family (shout out to my hubby and son who keep me going), dark chocolate (I eat it on the reg), and traveling (I’m always up for checking another country off the bucket list!).

My Stupid Human Trick

I can name all the states in alphabetical order.

Favorite Celebrity Wedding Dress

Hilary Duff’s Jenny Packham’s wedding gown. Her whole look is something I’d never be able to pull off, but she looked stunning!

All love is welcome here.

No matter who you love, how you identify, or what you believe in, Burgh Brides values, respects, and celebrates your uniqueness and your love story.